5.g Request to extend probationary period for firefighterI
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SCANDILA
Staff'Repo
Date of Meeting: April, 16 2019
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Dallas Soderlind
Background:
Dallas Soderlind joined the Scandia fire department 06/01/2016. Since joining Dallas has been a very
active & reliable member of the fire department. Our employee manual defines that any new member has
24 months to become certified to Emergency Medical Technician & Firefighter level 1. Dallas has
completed the firefighter 1 training and testing. He has also completed the EMT training and Practical
portion of the testing, but has not been able to pass the written portion of the EMT test. He currently
needs to take a refresher course before he can take the test again. Dallas has had some personal family
issues that I feel have distracted him from his studies. As a result this is why we have been working with
him on a monthly basis trying to help him pass the required test and confirm that he is willing to continue
to put forth the effort to become a full member of the fire department.
I feel that we have reached a point that I would like to inform the council of the situation and seek an
extension on this certification requirement for Dallas.
Issue:
Dallas has not received his certification for Emergency Medical Technician with in the 24 month time
allotted. He has completed his Firefighter 1 certification.
Proposal Details:
Scandia Fire would like to have the city council give Dallas Soderlind an extension to the certification
requirements until 06/01/2020. The fire department would continue to work with Dallas to achieve
certification.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact to extend the time requirement would not be any more than any other member on the
department. However if we were to terminate, we have already invested $1,525 for firefighter 1 and
$1,300 for the EMT course plus an additional $1,000-3,000 in other training and equipment.
Options:
(1) Approve the extension to the certification requirement.
(2) Terminate employment
(3) Take no action
Recommendation:
Option (1).